Dumb question time!
 

I am cleaning the old Singer 66 treadle I was given. At first, the handwheel was hard to turn, but brute force brought it around. Now it is totally stuck. The horizontal bar on the bottom front of the machine seems to be hitting on something. There is a thingy hanging down under the bobbin case (at least on that end) that has a semi-circular metal piece with a hole on each end. One end is attached to the hangy down piece, but the other end isn't attached to anything. I've tried to find diagrams of the bottom of a 66, without success. Does anybody have any ideas, or know what this is, or where I can find a diagram? Thanks, guys!

Singer has the manual for the 66 online. You might see if this will give you some help:
http://parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/66.pdf

Thank you! That was just what I needed. It's treadling away!!!! Now, if I can just figure out how to make the top thread pick up the bobbin thread, I'll be in business.

Glad I could help. As for picking up the bobbin thread, all I'd know is the same things the manual would say (needle in right, threaded right, proper tension, bobbin in right, etc....) Give the problems you were having before, though, I wouldn't be too surprised if the timing is wrong :(

Have you checked to see if your needle is long enough? Today I changed the needle on the machine I was using and it would not pick up the thread. It took me a while before I checked the length of the needle I had put in and lo and behold it was a short needle. It must have come with another sewing machine but it doesn't fit any of my 12 machines.

I've checked everything. It appears that nothing in or around the bobbin case is moving. I see a trip to the repair shop coming on, because my knowledge (what little there is of it) has been exhausted! I am at a total loss.

I had a machine that was locked up when I got it. The bushings that the center rod passed through, the thing that turned the bobbin case, were all corroded. Not really rusted, just stuck. I had to loosen some screws, set screws, etc and finally got it apart. Is it possible, when you got it unstuck, you disengaged one of those (or more) set screws? check to see if the rod spins while you move the hand wheel. That rod should spin the bobbin holder. (Forgive me, I really don't know all the technical terms)

If you have time, just set the machine in a sunny window. (or outside on the sunny porch) The warmth will ease all the gonk soft and things will come loose.

I am so aggravated with this thing!!!!! It's me, of course, and not the machine. I took the bobbin holder/case thing out and can't get it back in for the life of me. There is still something hanging up on the bottom. I am going to call the repairman tomorrow and see when he can operate on her! I want her to work so bad, I can't stand it, but looks like I'm going to have to wait a few days. She sure is clean, though, as are all of her parts and accessories. I got on such a roll, that I cleaned bobbins and attachments for a couple of my others, as well. I have clean machine parts on towels all over the counter!

Good luck on having her repaired. Now just don't get any of the other machines parts mixed up. LOL

MimiBug123,

By the sound of it, the timing is out. Do you have a picture of what thing was sticking out where it shouldn't have been? I can talk you through timing if you want to learn.... I bet it fixes both problems.